Iowans reached for a beer and a bite to eat on Small Business Saturday, according to a survey by American Express, the company that created the day to patronize local retailers in 2010, and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

The Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners held its annual awards banquet Nov. 9, celebrating several women for their achievements and support of local small business ownership.

Iowa’s largest employers -- the 21 member companies of the Iowa Business Council -- currently have more than 3,400 job openings to fill, which is an indicator of the importance of the state’s efforts to address gaps between workers’ skills and available positions, says Georgia Van Gundy, the council’s executive director. Van Gundy accompanied Gov. Kim Reynolds at the Excellence in Education Summit held Nov. 8 in Des Moines to update educators on the Future Ready Iowa Alliance.